We are looking to grow our team of Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioners to support our Adult SLT Team at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW). We are looking for a 0.5 whole time equivalent speech and language therapy assistant to join our growing team.
UHCW is a friendly, supportive and innovative place to work. You will be working across both the acute inpatient and outpatient services at both UHCW and Rugby St Cross Hospital. Our service provides input across multiple wards including respiratory, neurology, care of the elderly, emergency wards, critical care and outpatient head and neck cancer services.
The successful candidate should have experience of working within a healthcare environment and an understanding of SLT interventions. They will be responsible for providing clinical support to patients with guidance from the SLT team, supporting training and supporting with administrative duties. Supervision will be provided by senior Speech and Language Therapists in the team and personal development is supported through appraisal and internal and external training.
If you are looking to develop new skills within a modern-forward thinking organisation, then this role could be what you are looking for.
Working patterns are flexible and can be discussed with the successful candidate.
If you would like more information in relation to this role, please contact the department.
Previous candidates need not apply.
Under the supervision of a Registered Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) the post holder will be expected to:
• Deliver a programme of therapeutic activities to patients with swallowing and/or communication difficulties.
• Participate in screening assessment of new patients under supervision of a SLT.
• Use specialised and creative skills to plan and provide patient centred therapy activities for individuals/ groups with support from a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Take responsibility for a designated case load within agreed clinical parameters
• To plan and prioritise own workload.
• Maintain clinical records in line with local / Trust documentation guidelines
• To be involved in the education and training of volunteers, students, and other staff.
• To input and record activity data for the service as required.
• To maintain stock and order new supplies as required.
• To carry out cleaning of clinical equipment
• To work within National and Trust policies / guidelines
• To understand local standards and able to monitor own practice against these
• To participate in bank holiday working and work flexible hours to meet the needs of the patients if required
• To work across sites of University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and Rugby St Cross Hospital.
• To participate in an SLTA led phone review clinic for patients discharged from hospital
This will be supported by senior colleagues to help develop knowledge and awareness of any of the following areas if needed
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence®designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award.Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Practice:
• To adhere to the Trust Code of Conduct for Non-Qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.
• To plan (under the supervision of a qualified SLT) and deliver a programme of therapeutic activities to patients on the inpatient wards at UHCW and Rugby St Cross. This will include patients with dysphagia and communication difficulties.
• To assess and feedback to the supervising SLT when a patient’s programme is no longer appropriate for them or when the patient requires a review.
• To be responsible for a designated case load under supervision liaising with the appropriate SLT for that area.
• To undertake initial screening of patients and inform the appropriate SLT in prioritising and allocating cases.
• Complete the UHCW Band 4 Dysphagia competencies and assistant practitioner qualification.
• Seek support from senior colleagues and peers when necessary (aware of own scope of practice)
• Aware of local risk escalation and reporting process and ensure that this is followed when a risk is identified.
• Provide person centred SLT care considering the wishes of the service user
• To ensure that up to date written and/or electronic records (where available) and activity data is maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust Standards
• Utilise well developed communication skills and work with groups and individuals with varying communication needs
• Treat others fairly and interact with honesty and integrity
• To form professional relationships with patients and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
• To set up for, prepare patients and tidy away FEES, video fluoroscopy assessments and surgical voice restoration.
• To work towards independent cross-site cover in the management of non-complex dysphagic patients to ensure equitable service provision at Rugby St Cross and UHCW hospitals.
• To ensure that areas/ equipment are well maintained and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
• To maintain stock and carry out cleaning of items used in clinical practice e.g. trolleys.
• Work at the weekend & out of hours as appropriate & necessary within competencies, but not necessarily with your usual caseload.
• To work with patients who may have an altered airway e.g. tracheostomy and laryngectomy under the guidance of an SLT, completing competencies as appropriate.
• To provide emotional support to patients in challenging situations such as end of life or prolonged care if needed
• To complete competencies in dysphagia assessment and awareness, tracheostomy, Videofluoroscopy (VF) and Fibreoptic evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) as appropriate and under the guidance of an SLT.
• To contribute to formal SLT assessments, provide both dysphagia and
communication therapy and report effectively to the SLT team and Multi-disciplinary team on patients’ performance/ progress.
• To provide relevant written and verbal information for documents relating to patient progress and liaise with external agencies on clinical matters, under the direction of qualified staff.
For further details please see the attached job description.
Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
This advert closes on Sunday 5 Jan 2025